Competition for training contracts has never been fiercer so unless you are an applicant with an oxbridge double first, rowing captain and chairman of the debating society on your CV you need to utilise everything that can give you that cutting edge over the thousands of other applicants.
What’s important to remember is that you can show you have the edge not only at the application stage but also at job fairs, open days, work placements and, of course, the interview stage.
Here’s a summary of some of the key attributes you need to project to your potential future employers:
1. Academics – it goes without saying that the law attracts those towards the top of the intellectual scale. Many firms have a minimum requirement of a 2:1 at degree level and they have no difficulties filling their vacancies. Firms do not solely look at the final degree achieved, they may also look at the marks achieved in each year at university to weed out those who slacked in years 1 and 2 and pulled it round in year 3. A-levels will also often be looked at. Therefore to have the edge consistent, rather than patchy, academic results are the key.
2. The rest of you – are you just an academic robot or have you developed other sides of yourself? Recruiters like to see extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, volunteer work, travel, gap years, or anything else that is interesting and might set you apart from the crowd. These things jump off the paper at the application stage and help give the recruiter a more rounded image of applicants.
3. Communication – this is one of the key skills of a solicitor, both written and verbal. This must always be borne in mind on applications and in interviews. Keep things simple and show good judgment and you will go a long way.
4. Confidence and enthusiasm – being confident and enthusiastic without being arrogant and aggressive are powerful attributes to have as a solicitor. All solicitors need to be self-starters and be able to cope with a varied selection of people and situations.
5. Trust and integrity – these are as important within a firm as they are with the firm’s clients. Do not at any stage look to bend the truth or embellish in order to progress – if this is picked up you will have blown your chances.
6. Interpersonal skills and teamwork – even as a trainee solicitor you will work as part of a team and probably have support staff working for you. To be able to get on with, and command respect from, colleagues at all levels is an invaluable skill to have. The same goes for clients and their support staff.
7. Real world and commercial knowledge – the solicitor who can practice law in the context of the outside world has an advantage over those who are limited to solely what comes out of law books. Commercial awareness is becoming increasingly important to lawyers in all disciplines. Ensure you are well read and your general knowledge is good.
8. A real interest in the law – you must be able to project an interest in the law and the practice areas you are aiming to work in. If you’re just in it for the cash or the status this will be found out. Gaining work experience at an early stage is a good way to show an initial interest during the application stage.
9. Eye for detail – being meticulous as a solicitor is a pre-requisite to the point where a good lawyer can spot a mistake at a thousand paces. Ensure that all written applications are fully proof-read and spell checked and that all pre-interview research is 100% accurate. There is nothing worse than a typo in a CV or an erroneous fact about the firm being cited at interview.
10. A personality – whilst the image of many law firms may be one of stuffy men in pin striped suits you must remember that solicitors are human too. Whilst you must be prepared and professional try to ensure that your personality shines through. It’s ok to show your sense of humour but do so sparingly so you do not come across as the joker. Showing your personality and uniqueness could be the thing that sets you apart from the crowd.
